Book Progress

Got the English proof-reading back in the Weekend. So it's all down to me again. Will be working on it as my main project from today. Still some images that need improving, but otherwise it's just correcting text now I think (major changes will have to be in a 2nd edition).

Book Progress

I've just received back the proof-read draft of the book from my Tibetan/Chinese expert. There is some work to do on the mantras and Buddha names in those languages, but not a huge amount. I've also been speaking to the artist I commissioned to do the cover art and he tells me that his work is nearly ready. Finally the English proof-reading (the most daunting task) is close to being finished.

I want to do some indexing, though I suspect that most people will find the structure of the book guides how they use it, and the contents pages are quite helpful. The book is now 263 pages of A4 - it's turned into a bit of a monster!

Although I don't have a deadline I'd like the get the book finished for the August 2011 biennial Triratna Order convention (where I hope to sell many copies!). I seem to be on track for this.

Meanwhile I've been piecing together another Visible Mantra project which will bring together various already published work along with some original essays. More on this when everything is in the bag.

Plato

εὐγραμματία
"Calligraphy," said Plato, "is the physical manifestation
of an architecture of the soul."
- cited in The Comodore, by Patrick O'Brian, p.173.

Mongolian Calligraphy Exhibition and Workshop

At the West London Buddhist Centre

Solo exhibition by Sukhbaatar Davaakhuu at the Centre, 18-25 March 2011.
Open 2-6pm, closed Saturday 19 and Tuesday 22 March.
No charge. The paintings are for sale.

Mongolian Script and Calligraphy: the literate nomads - Workshop and talk
Saturday 26 March 2011. Talk 1pm., Workshop 2-6pm.
Please book for the workshop, the charge is £15. Talk no charge, donations welcome.

Arapacana Mantra monogram and eternal knot

Arapacana Mantra monogram and eternal knot a photo by jayarava on Flickr.

The monogram in the centre is the letters a ra pa ca na (अ र प च न) in the Lansta script woven together. This is the mantra of perfect wisdom, and also the first five letters of the Gāndhārī alphabet.

I should say that the braiding is inspired by the weaving of the Māori in New Zealand - I grew up there and learned how to do this with paper and NZ flax (Phormium tenax).